Scottish Tourers! Where did you buy your bike?

[Somebuddy]

I am having great difficulty trying to find a bike shop that stocks a touring bike. As you can appreciate a new rig is a lot of pennies, so I would like to try before I buy. Where did those living in Scotland purchase your tourer?

I think I'm going to have to take a trip down to Lancashire ( Paul Hewitt cycles ), just from reputation on this website. I would like a surly Disk trucker or Dawes super Galaxy, but can't find any nearby.

 

[HorTs]

How about Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative?

 

[snorri]

I bought my Galaxy from BikeTrax, Lochrin Rd., Tollcross, Edinburgh.
I can sympathise re your problem, but "no one" wants to stock touring bikes, the demand must be very low.

 

[ACS]

I purchased my Audax bike (fast tourer?) from Spa Cycles in Harrogate. They have a range of bikes that can be test ridden. Give them a ring I'm sure they would be happy to chat your requirements. (note: No connection with Spa, just a customer)

 

[Brandane]

Dales in Glasgow stock some of the Surly range.

 

[Fubar]

I bought a Revolution Country Traveller from Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op as @HorTs above suggests, and last time I was in the Bruntsfield shop they had one on display with all the accessories attached. At the moment I use it for commuting and it is a heavy bike but it sure toughens the legs up!

 

[theloafer]

you could always go down this route.. http://www.shandcycles.com/

 

[stumpy66]

Hewitt cycles, took the train down to Leyland for the fitting.

 

[Somebuddy]

Thank You to those that took part. I like EBC in the Meadows in Edinburgh, I gave them a call and all they had to offer was their own brand Revolution bikes. I did get the impression that I was talking to a call centre and not the store. I may call in to them when I'm up in Edinburgh in a couple of weeks time. The last time I was in store they had a nice Koga Miyata on display. Bike Trax, I didn't know about. I took a look online and all they have is 48 or 53cm Galaxies. But I will call in when in Edinburgh. Spa cycles....., a bit far for a try out. But they do have 20% off 2013 models at the moment. Sizes jump from 53 to 58 on Dawes. I'll try out the sizing when I call in to Bike Trax. Dales in Glasgow is my nearest store, they are a surly dealer, but very rarely have any in. No demand! Not sure on Revolutions......, but will take a look when in store in a couple of weeks. Shand ! well the website and the bikes look great, but a bit out of my price range. Hewitt is looking good. I could be tempted....! Thanks again guys. Appreciate your help.

 

[Brains]

It bought my tourer from Thorn in Somerset.
I not a lot nearer Somerset than you are
So until it arrived I did not see it! it is the way they sell most of their bikes

 

[jjb]

If in Edinburgh, try Evans too - it's half a mile from ebc and they have some tourers. By the way, last time I rang the Bruntsfield ebc shop number listed online, it went through to the shopfloor, not any call centre.

 

[Somebuddy]

Thanks again for the help and info. I am addicted to crazyguyonabike.com and have just finished reading a blog from a retired couple who have just completed the northern tier on a pair of specialized tricross's. So now my mind has been changed all over again! Plan A, is to upgrade the wheels on my tricross sport with some 36 spoke wheels, lower the gearing from a small chainring of 30 to 26 or 24. And add a front rack and panniers. That is my preferred plan. Plan B, just in case is to fly out to Vancouver,BC, purchase a surly disk trucker from a LBS there and make my way down to Anacortes for the starting point of the Northern Tier.